Cairo to Saint Catherine tickets

About the ride from Cairo to St. Catherine

Cairo, straddling the famous Nile River, is by far the largest and most influential city in all of Egypt. 

With world-class museums, historic quarters and some very famous monuments on its doorstep (pyramids, anyone?), if Cairo doesn’t make an appearance on your Egyptian itinerary, you’re doing something wrong.

But if you were to ask anyone in the know, Egypt is so much more than just ancient temples, Red Sea resorts and the occasional obelisk. 

It also hosts sites of historical and religious importance, like Saint Catherine, which is home to a monastery near the holy site of Mount Sinai, renowned in the Torah, Quran, and Bible.

So, if you have a taste for history, culture, and sweeping desert vistas, the four- to six-hour minivan trip from Cairo to St. Catherine is a no-brainer.

Read on to find out more details.

Things to do in St. Catherine, Egypt

St. Catherine is the very definition of remote. That’s what makes it such an intriguing place to visit. 

Here are some of the top things to do while in the area:

1. Dive deep into history at St. Catherine’s Monastery. Supposedly built at the site of the burning bush of Biblical fame, St. Catherine’s Monastery is a cultural treasure chest and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   
   

Preserved as a site of importance to three of the world’s most dominant religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism), visiting here is like stepping into a page of the Old Testament.

If that’s not enough, it’s the home of one of the oldest operating libraries and has some of the rarest documents on earth, such as the Codex Sinaiticus.

2. Channel your inner Moses on Mount Sinai. Just 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away from St. Catherine’s Monastery is the rocky peak of Mount Sinai. Famous as the place where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, you can retrace his steps on an overnight hike to the top.

Those who weren’t believers at the base might be persuaded by witnessing a divine sunrise from the peak. Visitors should be ready for a vigorous workout. 

Stone tablets are not included.

3. Recover from your explorations on the beach. St. Catherine is an easy day trip from the world-class beach resorts of Sharm El Sheikh. Trade the mountains of sand for a strand at the beach while enjoying fine dining, luxe hotels, and modern amenities at reasonable prices.
   
   

4. Make your escape to the Red Sea. Divers and snorkelers rejoice! The teeming reefs of the Red Sea are close at hand when visiting St. Catherine. This means you can pair your deep dive into history with a deep dive into the crystal-clear waters. Discover wrecks, reefs and colorful marine life that contrasts nicely with the drab of the desert.

How to get from Cairo to St. Catherine

The most practical way to get from Cairo to St. Catherine is by minivan. Here are some essential details as you book your ride:

Minivan

Minivans to St. Catherine are almost always a shared ride and come in a variety of budgets and timetables. 

Prices start at around $9 per passenger and increase depending on the operator and departure time you choose. 

All minivans are guaranteed to have air conditioning, which, if you come anytime between spring and fall, is a necessity. I’m sure Moses would have gone for it if the option was available.

Some operators have charging stations, English-speaking drivers and even WiFi or TV. All operators allow for at least one large suitcase per passenger.

Obviously, the nicer the van, the more expensive the ticket. 

Another factor that plays into the price is the departure time and location. Cheaper options generally have one departure time at a preset location somewhere in the greater Cairo area. Usually, those departures take place overnight, with a very early morning arrival at St. Catherine.

On the higher end, there are minivans with departures throughout the day, which could be worth the extra money if it means you don’t have to wait up all night just to catch your ride. 

Additionally, while some operators depart from a select location in the city, others offer a direct pick-up at your hotel.

Upon your arrival in St. Catherine, you will either be dropped off at a set point in town or, as with the pricier options, brought directly to your hotel. Once again, the added convenience could rightly be considered worth the extra money.

What to expect when traveling from Cairo to St. Catherine

As Egypt’s biggest and most congested city, your departure from the bustling streets of Cairo will seem a world apart from the empty desert that will soon surround you.

Heading eastward, your journey will take a turn to the south once you reach Suez. From there, you’ll likely follow a route along the eastern shore of the Suez Gulf toward the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. However, before you reach it, your road will turn inland, bringing you through barren mountains right out of an epic film. 

You’ll redefine your meaning of remote as you pull into St. Catherine.

Though some travelers have reportedly taken up to 40 years to cross the desert, your journey should be closer to about 4-6 hours. And if you choose to cover the 282 miles (485 kilometers) by road during the day instead of an overnight trip, you’ll be treated to stark desert scenery with a beauty all its own.

When is the best time of year to visit St. Catherine?

If your visit to the Sinai is solely to visit St. Catherine, then any time of year other than summer would be just fine for touring. Summers can get very hot, with temperatures in the 90’s°F/30’s°C. 

Outside of summer, things get more comfortable, and winter can get a bit cool.

If you’re just passing through St. Catherine on your way to the Red Sea beaches, you’d be better off visiting spring or fall, when temperatures are still warm but not uncomfortable, and taking a dip or dive will be ideal. Like pretty much everywhere else in Egypt, you can count on sunny days, dry air, and almost no chance of rain.

How much time do I need in St. Catherine?

Unless you’re a religious scholar, one day to see the monastery and hike up Mount Sinai should be enough. Make it two if you really want to take your time.

However, if you’re already dedicating a four to six-hour drive to get here, you might as well tack on a few days at one of the Red Sea resorts to make the trip worthwhile. Three to four days will give you enough time to enjoy St. Catherine and relax in style.

Where should I go after St. Catherine?

Since you’ve already trekked across the desert, you might as well move on to the best beach and diving destination in the area – Sharm El Sheikh. 

You could also head north and move on to scenic Taba, at the border with Israel.